The Beaten Path: 5 MMA Prospects to Watch in June

MMA fans must enjoy a well-balanced diet. This means getting your prospects in as well as your big UFC events.

That's what we, or rather me, here at The Beaten Path is here to help you do. I'm like an MMA dietician.

In addition to profiling the sport's brightest prospects, I'm now bringing you five non-UFC prospects to watch at the beginning of each month, including capsules on why each is noteworthy and when and how you can watch. Let's get it on.

5. Scott Holtzman

Division: Lightweight
Age: 29
Record: 4-0 
Next Fight: John Mahlow, XFC 24
See it on: June 14, AXS TV

I'm under no illusions that Scott "Hot Sauce" Holtzman is poised to take the UFC by storm tomorrow or anything, and he's not exactly a spring chicken in the prospect context. But he's a big lightweight with bowling-ball fists, strong wrestling skills and a respectable gas tank, and I don't see where he's really been threatened yet.

His fight in the main event of XFC 24—originally scheduled to come against one-armed fighter and former XFC champ Nick Newell—will be for the promotion's lightweight strap.

4. Jeff Smith

Division: Featherweight
Age: 25
Record: 10-1
Next Fight: Jerrod Sanders, World Series of Fighting 3
See it on: June 14, NBC Sports Network 

Jeff Smith hasn't lost a fight since his professional debut, but he's got a big step up in competition June 14 when he tangles with journeyman Jerrod Sanders.

Smith is mainly a submission grappler and boasts seven tapout wins on his resume. But he's taking this fight—also his first with WSOF—on just two weeks' notice. Gutsy move for the young man. 

3. Sergio Pettis

Division: Flyweight
Age: 19
Record: 7-0 
Next Fight: Jeff Curran, Resurrection Fighting Alliance 8
See it on: June 21, AXS TV

Sergio Pettis, barely old enough to vote, has had a nice run, thus far, but he hasn't faced a fighter like Jeff Curran before.  

If Pettis brings the same dynamic striking game he (and famous brother Anthony) has brought before, it could be a tall order for Curran come June 21.

Here he is in his last bout, a win over Josh "Neon Colors" Robinson. 

2. Lance Palmer

Division: Featherweight
Age: 25
Record: 6-0 
Next Fight: Jared Downing, RFA 8
See it on: June 21, AXS TV

It's pretty clear the RFA promotion is committed to backing up its pledge to be an unabashed UFC feeder league. Pettis and Lance Palmer sit atop their current crop, with Team Alpha Male's Palmer possibly the most enticing big-league prospect in any weight class. 

You watch him in the cage, and it's hard to believe he's a featherweight. He could almost pass for a welterweight. The Ohio State All-American wrestler is just an awesome athlete—no other way to say it. His stand-up isn't exactly "Duane Ludwiggian"; good thing, then, that he now has Duane Ludwig to coach him. Once he gets those hands and feet in gear, he'll be a load for just about anyone.

In further proof that RFA is putting its roster where its press release is, in June, Palmer is tangling with Jared Downing, himself a very interesting prospect with a 9-1 record coming into the event.

1. Vitaly Minakov

Division: Heavyweight
Age: 27
Record: 10-0 
Next Fight: Ron Sparks, Bellator 96
See it on: June 19, Spike TV

Vitaly Minakov is going to win this Bellator season's heavyweight tournament. Then, he is going to win the Bellator heavyweight belt. And then, he is going to defend it indefinitely.

The Russian Minakov is a sambo champion who can slam you, choke you out or absolutely destroy guys with his hands. His skills are as well-rounded as well-rounded gets, and he always looks to be in tip-top shape. 

No disrespect meant to Bellator, but here's hoping they don't get too "Bellatory" with Minakov and allow him, when the time is right, to head to the UFC.

Check out this highlight reel. It'll be the best one minute and 42 seconds of your day.

Scott Harris likes talking about MMA prospects and other things with anyone who wants to. Catch up with Scott on Twitter if desired.